Flashcards · 0493 · Topic 1

Paper 1 flashcards

34 cards on Topic 1, subtopics 1.1 to 1.4. Pick a subtopic or study them all.

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1.1 Major Themes of the Qur’an

What is the central theme of the Qur’an?: Tawhid: the absolute oneness of God, which underlies every other teaching in the Qur’an.
Name the major themes of the Qur’an: Tawhid (the oneness of God), prophethood, the afterlife and judgement, guidance for personal conduct, law and social justice, and relations with earlier scriptures.
Under which three headings are the Qur’anic passages set for study grouped?: God in Himself; God’s relationship with the created world; and God’s messengers.
What does Surah al-Ikhlas (112) teach about God?: That God is One and Eternal (al-Samad); He neither begets nor is begotten; and nothing is comparable to Him.
What does Ayat al-Kursi (2:255) teach about God?: That He is the Ever-Living who sustains all things; neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him; everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him; and His knowledge and authority extend over all creation.
What does the Qur’an teach about prophethood?: Muhammad (pbuh) is the last of a line of prophets sent by God to different peoples with essentially the same message. The stories of earlier prophets and communities are told as lessons and warnings.
How should you write about a Qur’anic theme in the exam?: Link the named theme to a specific passage or example of its teaching, then explain its importance for Muslims, rather than listing themes as abstract labels.

1.2 The History and Importance of the Qur’an

Over how long was the Qur’an revealed, and how did revelation begin?: Over 23 years, beginning in 610 CE in the Cave of Hira, through the angel Jibril.
What were the first verses revealed?: The opening verses of Surah al-Alaq (96:1–5), beginning “Read (Recite) in the name of your Lord who created”.
How many surahs does the Qur’an have, and how are Makkan and Madinan surahs different?: 114 surahs. Makkan surahs are generally shorter and focus on tawhid, the afterlife and moral conduct. Madinan surahs are generally longer and deal with law, community and social order.
How was the Qur’an preserved during the Prophet’s lifetime?: By memorisation, by huffaz who learned the whole text, and in writing on the materials available, by scribes such as Zayd ibn Thabit.
Why and how did Abu Bakr have the Qur’an compiled?: Many huffaz were killed at the Battle of Yamama. At Umar’s urging, Abu Bakr had Zayd ibn Thabit collect the revelation into a single written text.
Why did Uthman standardise the Qur’an?: Hudhayfah warned him that Muslims in different regions, during the campaigns in Armenia and Azerbaijan, were reciting it in different ways. Uthman had official copies made, sent them to the main centres and had variant copies destroyed.
Exam trap: what is the difference between Abu Bakr’s and Uthman’s work on the Qur’an?: Abu Bakr collected (compiled) the Qur’an into one text; Uthman standardised it and distributed official copies.
What is the place of the Qur’an in Islamic law?: It is the first source of law, followed by the Sunna (Hadith), consensus (ijma’) and analogy (qiyas).

1.3 The Life and Importance of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Give the key dates of the Prophet’s life in Makkah: 570 born in Makkah. 610 first revelation in the Cave of Hira. 613 public preaching begins, followed by persecution. 615 first migration to Abyssinia. 619 Year of Sorrow.
What was the Year of Sorrow (619)?: The year in which both the Prophet’s wife Khadijah and his uncle and protector Abu Talib died, leaving him more vulnerable in Makkah.
Why was the Hijra (622) important?: The Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah allowed the first Muslim community and state to be set up. It marks the start of the Islamic calendar.
What was the Constitution of Madinah?: A document defining the rights and duties of Muslims, Jews and other groups in Madinah, making them a single community with the Prophet as arbiter.
What happened at the Battle of Badr (624, 2 AH)?: About 313 Muslims met about 1,000 Quraysh. The Prophet secured the wells, the Muslims won the opening single combats, and the Quraysh were defeated (around 70 killed, including Abu Jahl). Prisoners were treated humanely.
Why was the Battle of Uhud (625) a setback?: The archers left their position on the hill to collect spoils, allowing the Makkan cavalry to attack from the rear. It was a setback, not a total defeat.
How did the Muslims withstand the Battle of the Trench (627)?: On Salman al-Farisi’s suggestion they dug a trench to protect Madinah. The besieging army could not cross it and withdrew.
What was agreed in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628)?: A ten-year truce with the Quraysh. The Muslims would return to Makkah the following year to perform the pilgrimage.
What happened at the conquest of Makkah (630)?: The Muslims entered Makkah almost without fighting. The Prophet granted a general amnesty and the idols were removed from the Ka’ba.
What principles did the Prophet set out in the Farewell Sermon (632)?: Equality regardless of race, the sanctity of life and property, the rights of women, the abolition of usury, and the ending of blood feuds.

1.4 The First Islamic Community

Which groups of people does the first Islamic community topic cover?: The Prophet’s wives; his descendants (children, grandchildren and the line recognised among Shi’a Muslims as Imams); his leading Companions, including the Ten Blessed Companions and his Scribes; the Emigrants and Helpers; and the four Rightly Guided Caliphs during his lifetime.
Why is Khadijah important?: She was the Prophet’s first wife and the first person to accept his message, and her support sustained him in Makkah.
Why is Aisha important?: A wife of the Prophet who became one of the most important narrators of Hadith and a source of knowledge for the early community.
Who were Fatimah, Hasan and Husayn?: Fatimah was the Prophet’s daughter and the wife of Ali. Hasan and Husayn were their sons, the Prophet’s grandsons.
Who were the Ten Blessed Companions?: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talhah, Zubayr, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa’id ibn Zayd and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah.
Who were the Muhajirun and the Ansar?: The Muhajirun (Emigrants) were the Muslims who left Makkah for Madinah; the Ansar (Helpers) were the Muslims of Madinah who received them. The Prophet paired them in brotherhood on arrival.
Who was Bilal ibn Rabah?: An enslaved Abyssinian in Makkah who was tortured for his faith. Abu Bakr bought his freedom, and he became the first mu’adhdhin, calling Muslims to prayer.
What roles did Abu Bakr and Ali play during the Hijra?: Abu Bakr accompanied the Prophet and hid with him in the Cave of Thawr. Ali slept in the Prophet’s bed so that he could leave Makkah unnoticed.
Exam trap: which parts of the Caliphs’ lives belong to Paper 1?: Their lives and roles during the Prophet’s lifetime. Their rule after his death, including the Ridda wars, is Paper 2.